Good Morning!
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Settlements and Urban Planning, I want to congratulate the organizers of this event…The Green Forum, Green Extremes: Master planning to neighborhood developments.

The threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent and it is growing. Governments and private sectors must act and move boldly, swiftly and with harmony – because if we fail, we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.

Sixty (60) percent of the planet’s ecosystems are damaged; twenty (20) percent of the earth’s crust is degraded, we have been impassive witnesses to deforestation, land conversion, desertification, deterioration of fresh water systems, and overexploitation of marine resources, pollution and loss of biodiversity.

The overuse of land exceeds by thirty (30) percent the capacity to regenerate it. The planet is losing what the technicians call the ability to regulate itself; The planet is losing this, everyday more waste than can be processed is released. The survival of our species hammers in the consciousness of humanity.

This “Major, Major” – “Major, Major” problem of climate change can be, must be reversed!!!

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man!!!

Mankind has been slow to respond to or even recognize the magnitude of the climate hreat. It is true in our own country as well. We recognized that. And I am proud to say that this green forum has done a lot to promote solutions in order to minimize the effect of climate change through master planning to neighborhood development programs.

Climate change is the single most important issue of our time and the action plan put forward the challenge to biosphere reserves to be key learning site for sustainable development giving emphasis to the role of the stakeholder communities as active participants, the academe and the scientific community to provide information and the political leaders through good governance in an environment of cooperation and partnership.

Efforts on research and monitoring are focused on the trade-offs and achieving balance between human responsibility to maintain nature and conserve biodiversity on the other hand, and on the other hand, the need to use natural resources for enhancing social and economic well – being of people.

For myself, myself my greatest contribution in preserving nature is the implementation of our windmills projects during my term as governor of Ilocos Norte.

By establishing a windmill farm, the country’s first wind power plant, in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, become the frontrunner in the promotion of clean energy and a leader in preserving and utilizing nature in a positive approach.

The 34.5megawatt windmill turbines came about when the country was experiencing blackouts way back in the 1990’s. We found out that we could use patches of land in the province where wind is strong, to build wind mills for power generation.

We began planning a wind farm because I wanted to free my constituency from dirty electricity — the kind that spikes and drops and destroy electronic equipments. The people of Ilocos did not want to buy appliances because the erratic power would destroy their equipment.

What the government needs to pursue is a consolidated policy on renewal or alternative energy to address power crisis and of course climate change.

We want effective global action. We want a new global agreement that can forge a truly comprehensive response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An agreement that is actually environmentally effective and economically fair.

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Ilocos Norte is not just about old churches and landmarks that bespeak its rich history. It is also proud of its abundant natural wealth – pristine beaches and untouched forests that host a high amount of biodiversity. Help save this wealth for the coming generations to enjoy.